The Bible's View

© Written by Y. Luke

1 Timothy 6:10 is often misquoted as saying “money is the root of all evil” when in fact it does say “the love of money is the root of all evil.” The Bible is not against having money or wealth but warns against the love of money and the relentless pursuit of money.

The Bible does mention righteous men who were wealthy and God-fearing at the same time. Job was a very wealthy man who was considered to be “a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad.” At Job 1:3 his material possession is described this way: “And his livestock got to be seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and five hundred spans of cattle and five hundred she-asses, along with a very large body of servants.”

Solomon, one of David’s sons, was another servant of God who had wealth in abundance. His vast wealth included “forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots and twelve thousand horsemen.” 1 Kings 4:26

Simply having lots of money does not make a person unrighteous or ungodly. The problem is one’s obsession with making money. 1 Timothy 6:10 describes the danger as the pursuit of money or wealth that has led some “astray from the faith.”

The love of money makes money one’s master, or god. The Bible warns us at Matthew 5:24 “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. YOU cannot slave for God and for Riches.”

Money is not just a cruel master but a deceitful one as well. Jesus Christ warns of “the deceptive power of riches.” (Mark 4:19) Riches have deceived many by promising happiness but failing to deliver. Riches tend to create a craving for more. Wise King Solomon made this observation: “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10 (New Living Translation)

The love of money and the needless pursuit of excesses can also affect one’s health. Wise King Solomon noted that “People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.” Ecclesiastes 5:12 (New Living Translation)

In the pursuit of wealth some have also engaged in unethical and criminal conduct. Proverbs 28:20 make us aware of this danger when it says, “he that is hastening to gain riches will not remain innocent.”

Sleepless nights, stress, anxiety, marital failures and stroke are not uncommon for those who are preoccupied with the pursuit of money and the safety of their material possessions.

The Bible give us a healthy view of money when it suggests: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” Hebrews 13:5

The Bible also encourages us to “Keep YOUR eyes open and guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15

- Y Luke

Stay within your assigned boundary

Not much is said of Jesus during his early life. However the Bible makes a significant reference to a time when Jesus was 12 years old. As is customary at that time, his parents Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem for the festival of the passover each year. On one occasion his parents were returning home to Nazareth and noticed that their son was missing. They eventually found him in the temple where he was “sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and questioning them.” (Luke 2:46)

Although young Jesus was doing something commendable his mother said to him: “Child, why did you treat us this way? Here your father and I in mental distress have been looking for you.” (Luke 2:48) His parents made him aware that they would appreciate it if he told them of his whereabouts. Doing so would put them at ease and prevent moments of “mental distress” such as the one they endured for 3 days.

Just as the son of God was required to make his parents aware of his whereabouts, today’s teenagers should do the same and live within the boundary set by their parents. This boundary includes where teenagers are allowed to go, what activities they can engage in and what time they should return home.

These limitations are for a protection. Also the heavenly Father expects parents to set limits and enforce discipline as part of effective parenting.

A rod and reproof impart wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15 (NET Bible)

As a teenager matures and act more responsibly, a parent should relax the restrictions placed on that son or daughter. Parents should always be mindful of the Bible verse that says “YOU fathers, do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted.” (Colossians 3:21)

- Y Luke

© Written by Y. Luke

As leaders around the world try to find answers to their countries’ struggling economies, the plight of the poor is strangely woven into the discussion. The income disparity between the rich and the poor has grown dramatically in recent decades. However, time and time again politicians target the poorer populace for belt-tightening and unfair austerity measures.

It now seems like “open season” for attacks on the poor. They have been called lazy, unproductive and have been blamed for helping to wreck the economy. Even as some are wishing evil for the poor they are taking advantages of them and sinking them deeper in their misery. How did we get so heartless?

What is God’s view of the poor? How does our Heavenly Father want us to treat the poor?

A simple answer is found at Proverbs 19:17. This Bible verse is translated this way by the Good News Translation (GNT):

What a comforting Bible verse! An act of generosity towards the poor is like lending something valuable to the Lord. What would our world be like if everyone followed those words?

Our Heavenly Father recognizes that there are some of us with more material possessions than others. He readily accepts the poor and the wealthy as long as they serve him as he pleases. However he encourages those who have more to look out for their fellow men who have less.

When God issued the famous Law to the ancient nation of Israel, he instructed Israelite farmers not to harvest the edges of their fields completely. They were not to collect leftover fruit by going over an olive tree or a vine a second time. These laws were put in place to benefit aliens, orphans, widows, and other less fortunate ones.

“When you harvest your fields, do not cut the grain at the edges of the fields, and do not go back to cut the heads of grain that were left. Do not go back through your vineyard to gather the grapes that were missed or to pick up the grapes that have fallen; leave them for poor people and foreigners. I am the Lord your God.” - Leviticus 19:9-10 Good News Translation (GNT)

This loving provision to help the poor and needy is in stark contrast to the practice of throwing away food that could have gone to the poor. European Union (EU) Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki recently suggested that instead of throwing lower value fish back into European waters, the fish should be distributed to charities and other public organisations. However her suggestion runs into opposition from fishermen who fear that this could lower the price of their efforts.

In God’s eyes the rich and the poor are the same. He shows no favoritism and he expects us to behave the same. The words of the apostle James confirms this.

My brothers, YOU are not holding the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, our glory, with acts of favoritism, are YOU? For, if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in splendid clothing enters into a gathering of YOU, but a poor [man] in filthy clothing also enters, yet YOU look with favor upon the one wearing the splendid clothing and say: “You take this seat here in a fine place,” and YOU say to the poor one: “You keep standing,” or: “Take that seat there under my footstool,” YOU have class distinctions among yourselves and YOU have become judges rendering wicked decisions, is that not so?

Listen, my beloved brothers. God chose the ones who are poor respecting the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to those who love him, did he not? YOU, though, have dishonored the poor [man]. The rich oppress YOU, and they drag YOU before law courts, do they not? – James 2:1-6

In God’s new world hunger, poverty and greed will be no more. Each man, woman and child will live in prosperity.

“Everyone will live in peace
among their own vineyards and fig trees,
and no one will make them afraid.
The Lord Almighty has promised this.” – Micah 4:4 Good News Translation (GNT)

Let us look out for each other and lend a helping hand if we can. Let us encourage others who are in position to help, to extend their hand in an act of generosity keeping in mind that this is considered a loan to our Heavenly Father.

- Y Luke

© Written by Y. Luke

Once upon a time there was a rich young ruler who felt he needed to do more to serve God. He approached Jesus, fell on his knees and asked “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?”

Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God. You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

The man said to him: “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth on.” Jesus looked upon him and felt love for him and said to him: “One thing is missing about you: Go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” (Mark 10:17-21)

This Bible story helps us to get the Bible’s view of riches as it relates to being a follower of Jesus. It is interesting to note that the ruler was a law-abiding person who was conscious of his spiritual needs and lived a moral life. Yet be detected that there was something else that was needed to gain the full approval of Jesus. He was told “One thing is missing about you: Go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven…”

How did the rich young ruler respond? According to Mark 10:22 “he grew sad at the saying and went off grieved, for he was holding many possessions.”

The Bible does not tell us what happened afterwards, but it is clear that the answer Jesus gave was not what he expected. The act of turning over his wealth to the poor and following Jesus was a little too much for him. We therefore assume that he held on to his riches and continued his life as it was.

The Bible does not condemn wealth or riches. Job had many animals and land and 10 beautiful children. He remained faithful to God although his faith and loyalty was severely tested. Abraham also had many cattle, sheep and horses but he did not allow his wealth to get in the way of serving his God. Sadly some people are affected by riches and seem to lose sight of their spiritual needs and obligation towards their neighbors.

Today we see many politicians who claim to be Christians, throwing their full support behind the millionaires and billionaires while at the same time doing what they can to increase the pains of the less fortunate and blaming them for bringing on their own sufferings.

One aspect of the story above that is often overlooked is the fact that followers of Jesus are expected to show love and compassion for the less fortunate. Jesus set a fine example in helping the sick, the poor, the widowed and the fatherless child. He offered help instead of vilifying them and blaming them for their plight.

It is disheartening to see politicians who claim to be supporters of the Word of God, ignore the basic principles by which Jesus was guided. They are hypocritical in their claim to be pro-God, pro-life, pro-family and pro-love. They should either disown knowing the True God or take note of Jesus’ warning at Matthew 25:42-45:

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’p;

- Y Luke

©Written by Y. Luke

People have shown a disdain for taxes for as long as governments have been collecting them. Throughout history many people held the view that taxes were excessive and often misused. Hence the reluctance to pay taxes and the evasive actions that seek to pay little or no taxes. Added to this is the fact that in some developed countries, the wealthy pay a lower percentage of their income in taxes than the poor.

Taxes are often grouped as direct and indirect taxes. Direct taxes include income tax, corporate tax and property tax. Indirect taxes are sales tax, liquor tax, cigarette tax, estate tax and customs duties. The money collected from taxes are used to fund essential services like police, fire, education, mail, military and coast guard. So the paying of taxes benefits the subjects of a government.

Just what does the Bible have to say about taxes? Should we refuse to pay taxes?

The Bible records an interesting exchange involving Jesus and the matter of paying taxes. Mark 12:13-17 according to the Today’s New International Version (TNIV) reads:

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

Jesus supported the paying of taxes to Caesar or the local government. He did not advocate the practice of not paying taxes regardless of how the government is viewed.

The apostle Paul also viewed the paying of taxes as a duly of citizens of a government. His words at Romans 13:7 as translated by the GOD’S WORD Translation reads: ”Pay everyone whatever you owe them. If you owe taxes, pay them. If you owe tolls, pay them. If you owe someone respect, respect that person. If you owe someone honor, honor that person.”